The Classic Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Rare book

Genres: Classics, Mystery, Fiction, Literature

745 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2001

About the author

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.

Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.

Reviews

[Jeanne]

I put this book aside several times while I read library books that came with a deadline. I enjoy Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Holmes' keen sense of observation is fascinating to me. I like the interplay between Holmes & Watson. ACD doesn't give away the perpetrator until the very end.

[Jonathan Jasinski]

I mean, what can you say? It's Sherlock. It's brilliant. I don't love the writing style, some of the tales are a bit less polished, but it's always good fun.

[Jadewik]

Dr. Watson chronicles his sleuthing adventures with Sherlock Holmes.

I rather enjoyed this selection of stories about the infamous detective. I was quite surprised that these stories were easy to read for classical literature. The characters were much beloved. The stories were engaging.

One thing that caught me off guard was that there really wasn't any mystery for the reader to pick through because Holmes, it seemed, would pull observations out of nowhere. For example, Watson would point things out at Holmes' request and it was easy to postulate what inferences could be made from these comments, but then Holmes would pull something out of mid-air-- an observation the reader wouldn't know because they weren't there to see it. So... we discover things as Watson does, when Holmes decides to elaborate upon his observations.

I also learned that Holmes does cocaine (from the first story in the book), when he isn't working on a case. AND... Holmes doesn't always win the case. In fact, his character is quite humble about it-- he tells Watson to remind him of his failures if and when he gets to cocky. (I wish more people were like that in present-times.)

The stories were delightful to read. I can see why they've been so popular over the years. They're sure to continue being so well read-- especially with the popularity the films are showing this masterful detective. Well done!

[Tyler]

The hound of the baskervilles is a very short sherlock holmes story where Sherlock, and Watson are looking for a lady, but before they are able to enter the house they have to wait for the people to leave to enter while waiting and hiding they encounter a man by the name of Sir Henry, who later on get attacked by a evil bloodhound to get this bloodhound of him Sherlock, ends up killing the bloodhound. Evuntly they enter the house and end up finding the lady. I thought that this was a great story but way to short its so good it should be longer. In conclusion I recomned reading this.

[Kathy]

I've been meaning to read Sherlock Holmes for ages & am glad I finally did! It was over-the-top & there was much silliness, I don't think it ever would have worked if the stories were told through Sherlock Holmes point of view. Watson, however, made it a cute & charming read. It was a nice book to curl up with when I needed a smile, & it never failed to bring one.

[Andrea]

only the baskervilles one and loved it.

[Vimal]

good evidence!!!

[Katie]

Ive never read any Sherlock Holmes and just read Hound of the Baskervilles. It was a fun read. It's also fun to hear read aloud.

[Dayla]

Sherlock is the smartest guy —no matter the group or social status.